Pipeline Natural Gas Generation

Electric utilities can consistently run gas engine generators to fulfill foundational electrical loads. This approach is particularly beneficial when a dependable centralized power plant is absent, or when the economics and availability of natural gas fuel play a crucial role. The base load constitutes the essential and unchanging requirement for electricity throughout a typical day. Consequently, the power demand consistently matches or surpasses the base load. Depending on electricity demand, the base load is greater during the winter compared to the summer months.

Gas generator sets are commonly employed to manage peak loads as well. Peak load refers to transiently elevated demand for output in both the electrical grid and other utility networks. Instances of heightened demand are often marked by rapid surges in required output, necessitating the swift deployment of scalable peak load power plants. Demand surges within the electrical utility grid are typically observed in the early morning and late afternoon on workdays. These power plants are designed to swiftly provide high output levels within seconds or minutes, encompassing contemporary gas-fueled power plants as well.

Benefits from Utility Gas Generator Set Applications Include:

• Reduced energy costs

  
  

• Efficient utilization of resources

  
  

• Increased revenue opportunities

Base-load generator set power plants exhibit a size spectrum, spanning from a few megawatts (MW) for compact islands to surpassing 100 MW for expansive metropolitan regions. These facilities can incorporate multiple generators within the 400 to 10,300 kWel range, functioning in parallel as a central electricity source for the local power grid.

Typical peak load power plant solutions typically operate within the 2 to 50 MW capacity range, for durations ranging from 100 to 3,000 hours annually. The majority of 100-hour-per-year plants typically utilize diesel fuel, addressing super peak scenarios. Meanwhile, the economics of natural gas-fueled power plants are more favorable for applications with greater operating hours and extended peak demand periods.

Paralleling switchgear systems for energy utilities facilitate the synchronized operation of multiple generator sets in parallel with the primary power grid. In open energy markets, the electricity generated by these units can serve local customer demands during peak periods or be traded for profit in real-time energy markets based on spot prices.